Showing Him Holy

“I will show the holiness of my great name…Then the nations will know that I am the LORD... when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.” Ezekiel 36:23

If I had not already asked Jack to share his praises and prayer requests with you today, this update would be fupi sana (Swahili for short/ very) as I would have only reported this long-awaited praise! Baraka Hall, the building used by Kenya Baptist Theological College students for classes, worship, dining and sleeping, is at the moment being crowned with mbati! God is definitely showing Himself holy through what is happening at KBTC.

When Jack returned to our cottage yesterday afternoon, he was very disappointed. He had just learned that the roof supports were up and ready to be covered, BUT the needed galvanized iron sheets (mbati) had not yet arrived and would not for a few days. THEN this morning as I logged in to Facebook, the first post to appear on my screen was of the red sheets being placed on the roof of Baraka Hall!

More praises this week include last Friday's

great Board of Governors meeting.

As Jack did answer my early morning request before heading out to his office, you will get a slightly longer update today, as he shares his heart, as well as his vision and concerns for KBTC:

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The BOG members also visited the classroom used
by those learning to play musical instruments.  

Theological education is an essential and primary means towards evangelism of the lost, mission deployment, church planting and church growth. It involves every phase of the Great Commission – going, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20). It insures stability (generationally) of the church. Without trained pastors and leaders the church will die and/or follow heretical beliefs.

Not sure if the balls are used in
the music classes, but all these
instruments are used by students
to produce beautiful music.

It is however difficult financially to maintain theological education anywhere in our world. Students often come, especially in our part of the world, from poor environments, usually without support from anyone (families, church, community). It is a huge struggle for an institution to feed, house, pay expenses for staff, teachers, upkeep, electricity, etc., and still build a college with development needs. It becomes imperative for our institutions to trust God to touch believers, not only from afar, but local believers, who can financially contribute as they trust that with very little, God can do much.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT!

>  Pray that government accreditation can happen this year. Two million shillings is required to receive the accreditation which is required to offer degrees.

Thanks to the the support of volunteers, new
water tanks are being added that will ease
the water problems in the homes on campus.

> Pray that partnerships will help develop 24 Regional Centers for Study throughout Kenya, as well as assist in physical development of these Centers and with scholarship aid.

> Pray that new practices will lead KBTC to be more flexible in how we make our programs available to students and more open to change and opportunities God is bringing our way.

> Pray for a new Mission School strategy which will bring Chinese expatriates and nationals together with Africans to reach the lost Chinese and African peoples groups globally.

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Westgate Mall reopened on July 18th, 22 months
after the siege.  We were out of the city that
weekend, but have visited twice since our return.

I don’t know about you, but I am awed by the thought that our heavenly Father chooses to “show the holiness of HIS great name… through US” to those who do not know “He is LORD.” So, I will close this week’s update with a praise that our Father trusts us and desires to show that He is LORD and holy through us, through the work He allows us to join Him in accomplishing! BERT YATES

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Remember to view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, a part of Bert's work as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.

For more from Jack's work, visit KBTC's site (can be safely viewed by non-FB users) at  https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

New photos were added today to the "Who Needs Walmart" photo album at  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153991283085130.1073741855.685050129&type=1&l=c57ceb3eee.

For more on the Westgate reopening, visit  http://stories.imb.org/africa/stories/view/westgate-shopping-mall-reopens-demonstrating-kenyas-spirit-of-resilience.
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And now for a few other photos captured during the last two weeks.

A herd of elephants now guard the new roundabout leading to
Westgate! I'm not sure the artist knows the size of newborn elephants! 
(Look for the very small baby in the middle.)

The photo below didn't 'qualify' for the
"Who Needs Walmart" photo album,
but I do love this photo of an old Mini Cooper,
partially as viewing one always brings back
great memories of our little 'mustard yellow'
mini which I drove when we lived in Mombasa!